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Multiple barrier operator system

Multiple barrier operator system description/claims

The field of the invention relates to moveable barrier operator systems and, more specifically, to operator systems having a plurality of barriers.

Different types of moveable barrier operators have been sold over the years and these barrier operator systems have been used to actuate various types of moveable barriers. For example, garage door operators have been used to move garage doors and gate operators have been used to open and close gates.

Such barrier movement operators may include various mechanisms to open and close the barrier. For instance, a wall control unit may be coupled to the barrier movement operator and sends signals to a head unit thereby causing the head unit to open and close the barrier. In addition, operators often include a receiver unit at the head unit to receive wireless transmissions from a hand-held code transmitter or from a keypad transmitter, which may be affixed to the outside of the area closed by the barrier or other structure.

Multiple barriers are used in many circumstances. For example, many home owners utilize multiple garage doors at their homes. In another example, various types of businesses (e.g., trucking companies, warehouses) or government agencies (e.g., police and fire departments) employ multiple garage doors in their operations.

In previous systems, multiple operators were required to operate the multiple barriers. Specifically, a separate operator was used to move each of the barriers. While facilitating the use of multiple barriers, the use of multiple operators also created problems. For example, multiple operators were expensive to purchase and time-consuming to install. In addition, the multiple barrier operators had to be configured individually in order to operate properly leading to delays during the set up of the system. The maintenance of multiple barrier operators also was sometimes difficult and costly to perform due to the complexity of operating multiple operators.

Approaches are provided whereby multiple barriers are actuated by a single barrier operator. The use of a single device to control multiple barriers allows the cost and complexity of these systems to be significantly reduced. In addition, the amount of time required to setup and install the operators is reduced. Furthermore, performing maintenance functions in the system is greatly simplified and upgrades of the system are easier to perform resulting in significant costs savings as compared to previous systems.

As disclosed herein, a command is received at a controller in a barrier movement operator system and it is determined whether the command is a valid command. When the command is determined to be a valid command, at least one of the plurality of barriers to be controlled is identified based upon information included within the command. A motor is selectively coupled to the identified barrier or barriers and the motor is energized to move the one or more barriers.

A valid command may be determined based upon a variety of different tests or circumstances. For example, a valid command may be determined upon detecting matching codes or a valid command may be determined based upon the activation of a switch for a predetermined amount of time. Other examples of tests or circumstances may also be used to determine that a command is valid.

The coupling between the movable barrier operator and the barrier may also assume a number of different forms. For instance, a single clutch mechanism may be used to simultaneously control all of the plurality of barriers. In another example, a plurality of independent clutch mechanisms may be used to control each of the plurality of barriers independently from the others. In another example, a plurality of independent clutch mechanisms may be actuated to simultaneously control each of the plurality of barriers. In still another example, a plurality of independent clutch mechanisms may be actuated to simultaneously control at least one of the plurality of barriers.

Advantageously, obstruction detection approaches may be used in the multiple barrier systems described herein. In one example, an obstruction may be detected at one or more of the barriers, and a command may be transmitted to the barrier or barriers where the obstruction has been detected to take an evasive action. The evasive action may include opening a barrier, closing a barrier, or stopping the movement of a barrier. Other examples of evasive actions may also be taken.

The command received at the barrier operator that requests that one or more barriers be actuated may also take a number of forms. For example, the command may indicate the identity of a single barrier. In another example, the command may indicate the identities of a multiple barriers. The command may identify an action (e.g., open, close, halt movement) or may identify no action to take. In another example, the command may include information indicating an opening time or a closing time for the barrier.

The command may also assume a number of physical forms or formats. For example, the command may be transmitted from an RF transmitter and be in the form of an RF signal. In another example, the command may be transmitted from a keypad and be in the form of an electrical signal.

The system may also operate according to a variety of different operating modes. For example, each of the multiple of barriers may operate in a learn mode.

Thus, approaches are provided whereby multiple barriers are operated using a single barrier operator. The approaches are relatively easy to use and result in a user being able to control multiple barriers according to the users desires and using only a single barrier operator. System costs and complexity are reduced and the ability to maintain and/or upgrade the system are also enhanced.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing one approach for operating multiple barriers according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for operating multiple barriers according to the present invention;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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